Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes
Page 89

Joe moved in front of me again. “Rose, that came out wrong, that’s not what I meant!”
“You were gonna arrest me, weren’t you?”
He didn’t answer, guilt in his eyes.
“Get out of my way, Joe McAllister.”
Hilary stood in the doorway. “Joe, we need you downstairs.”
I stared at her, then back at Joe. “So is she your girlfriend or not?”
“Was. What I told you the night we ate Chinese was true.”
I studied the man I thought I knew, my heart shattering into pieces. “Thanks for tellin’ me the truth about somethin’.” I walked around him and Hilary backed out of the doorway onto the stairs.
“Rose! Wait!” Joe shouted, running after me.
Hilary blocked his path. “She just needs some time to think this through and you have work to do.”
I walked down the stairs, realizing my shirt still hung open, my black bra hanging out for the world to see. Even though it seemed the least of my worries, I grabbed the torn edges with my hand to hold it shut.
“Rose, you can’t leave yet,” Hilary called out. “We still need a statement from you.”
“I don’t care. I’m goin’ home. You know where to find me.” I walked through the handcuffed men and DEA agents in bulletproof vests, then headed for the wide open doors in the center. Muffy appeared next to me.
“Come on, Muffy. Let’s go home.”
I parked Mildred’s car in her driveway, like nothing had ever happened. I would have filled up the gas tank, but I didn't have any money. Heavens knew where my purse was.
As soon as I got in the house, I called Violet at Aunt Bessie’s. I assured her I was fine and that it was all over. When she asked about Joe, I told her he was fine, too. I didn’t feel like explaining anything else. Turned out he'd told her the night before that he was with the state police. I guessed I was the last to know.
I took a long shower, my body aching from all the beating it had received. I was thankful I didn’t have to worry about someone coming in and surprising me. I also felt a sense of relief, knowing that Muffy stood guard next to the tub if they did. I’d never doubt her guard-dog capabilities again.
I spent the rest of the afternoon sorting through my house, the events of the last couple weeks playing in my mind, exhausted but too riled up to sleep. Around seven, I heard the whine of a small motor in the kitchen.
The side door stood partially open and Joe had a drill, removing my locks.
“What are you doin’?” I asked, irritated at the little skip in my heart at the sight of him. I stopped in front of the opening.
He stood up and reached out his right hand to me, wanting to shake my hand.
I tilted my head and looked at him like he’d just escaped from the funny farm.
“I’m Joe.” He shook my hand and gave me a hesitant smile. “I’m your next door neighbor. I saw you had some broken locks and thought I’d do the neighborly thing and fix ‘em for you.”
“You don’t have to…”
He picked up the drill again, working on the screws. “I’m a mechanic. And a cop, although I’m not sure I’ll be one for much longer. I grew up in El Dorado. My parents still live there. My little sister lives in Little Rock.” He looked up, his eyes pleading with me to listen. “That’s where I live, too, in Little Rock. I have an apartment there.”
“Joe.”
He put the drill down, stood up and took my hand in his. “Here’s the thing. I met this girl, this beautiful woman who’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. She’s funny, and brave and has packed more into her life in the last few weeks than most people do in their entire lives.”
My eyes started to burn.
“I find myself thinking about her all the time. But I hurt her. I didn’t mean to hurt her. I’d do anything to take back the pain I caused, but I don’t think she’ll listen to me. So the only thing I know to do is start over, then maybe she’ll give me another chance.” When I didn’t say anything, he pulled me into his arms, looking into my eyes for a sign that I forgave him. “Do you think there’s any way she can give me another chance?”
I’d wrestled with myself all afternoon. I knew Joe was doing his job, that it wasn’t personal. I had to look past my own feelings and look at the bigger picture. But how did I know what was real and what wasn’t, especially in regard to his feelings for me.
I cleared my throat, trying to dislodge the lump that had formed. “This woman, perhaps she doesn't know what to believe. Maybe she forgives you for doing your job but feels like everything else was a lie.”
The soft pitter-patter of raindrops beginning to hit the leaves and the cars caught me by surprise. The dark clouds that had shrouded the sky all day finally let loose.
Joe cupped my cheek carefully with his hand. His thumb ran under the bruise on my cheekbone. “My feelings for you weren’t a lie. But that’s why I wanted to wait to sleep together, so there wouldn’t be any doubt in your mind.” He paused, searching my eyes. “I would do anything to prove it to you.”
The corners of my mouth lifted into a small smile. “I’m Rose. I’ve not done much living in my life, but I met this guy who makes me want to live it. He doesn't even think it’s strange I have visions, but he wasn’t who I thought he was.”
Joe’s eyes clouded.
“I hope to get to know the real him. And besides, he promised to help me fulfill my last wish, play in the rain.”